Information

South African Open 2018

Date Posted:11 December 2018

Louis wins at home

The European tour held the South African Open at Randpark GC in Johannesburg, South Africa. After starting his week with a flawless 62, local favorite Louis Oosthuizen (-18) started the final day with a three shot lead. After a couple of nervous opening bogeys the South African settled his nerves and closed with a 67 to claim an emotional maiden hometown victory, his fifth on home soil and his ninth career title. A distant six shots back in second place was Frenchman Romain Langasque (-12). Tied for third place was England's Oliver Wilson (-10) and South African trio Charl Schwartzel, Thomas Aiken and Bryce Easton. There were eight players tied for seventh place on nine under par. Of the five Aussies in the field, only David Gleeson (+3) made the weekend cut.

The PGA tour held the QBE Shootout at the Tiburón GC in Naples, Florida. Americans Patton Kizzire (-30) and Brian Harman finished their final round with an eagle and par to claim a one shot victory and congratulations from the host Greg Norman. Coming in second was Northern Ireland's Graeme McDowell and Argentina's Emiliano Grillo. Americans Gary Woodland-Charley Hoffman, Kevin Na-Bryson DeChambeau and Luke List-Charles Howell III all tied for third place on 28 under. There were no Aussies in the field. NB: LPGA player Lexi Thompson and Tony Finau finished seventh at 23 under.

Early in the week the Australian Legends tour held the Lismore Legends Pro-Am at the Lismore Workers Golf Club. After closing with a 67 on a perfect course, 54 year old Queenslander Richard Backwell (-3) was the winner on the day and thanked his son Louis for toting his bag. Tied for second place were Canada's Ken Tarling (E) and Victorian duo Glenn Joyner and Tim Elliott. Sharing fifth place were fellow Aussies Michael Harwood (+1) and Russell Swanson. Four players were tied for seventh place including our very own resident PGA David Fearns (+2).

Later in the week the Ladbrokes tour headed to the Byron Bay Golf Club for their end of year Tour Championship. In form Mike Harwood (-9) from Victoria came from behind with a brilliant closing 65 to snatch the title. Recent winner Richard Backwell (-7) was solo second. In third place was Tim Elliott (-6) followed by David Diaz (-5) and David McKenzie (-4).

The European Staysure tour held the MCB Tour Championship at the Constance Belle Mare Plage in Poste de Flacq, Mauritius. Last year a 54 hole scoring record was set and this week Clark Dennis (-23) from the USA equaled that feat with a closing 64. Starting the day with a three shot lead, the American didn't drop a single shot all week and he took the title by an impressive eight shots over Sweden’s Magnus P Atlevi. England's Roger Chapman (-13) was alone in third and tied for fourth place were Phillip Price (-12) from Wales and Ireland's Paul McGinley. Peter Fowler (-4)was the only Australian in the field.

Next week the European tour will head to Leopard Creek in South Africa for the Alfred Dunhill Championship. England's Chris Paisley will be back to defend his title. Watch out for Oosthuizen, Aiken, Grace and Schwartzel. Aussies in the field will be Dimitrios Papadatos, Nick Cullen and Deyen Lawson.

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